London hostels tend to be large, with a residents' bar and restaurant. They're busy all year round and are a great way to make friends. Smaller hostels in England generally offer a selection of dorms and private rooms with self-catering kitchens.

The English and Welsh YHA are the largest hostel association in England with over 220 youth hostels and 50 campsites. As with all YHA hostels you need a membership card to stay in these properties but this card can be bought on arrival and can be used in YHA hostels worldwide. Hostels.com has 389 hostels in England.
There is also a wide range of independent hostels in England that don't require any membership. These include members of city hostel chains and large independent hostels in London to a number of smaller independent hostels in Oxford, Liverpool and other towns and villages.